Powder coating compositions comprising a blend of coreactive polymers - II

ABSTRACT

Powder coating compositions are disclosed which comprise a blend of coreactable, thermosettable copolymers each of which have at least two different functional groups. Ordinarily, these polymers will be qualitatively difunctional, although they may contain more than two different functional groups, and quantitatively polyfunctional. At least one of the copolymers has epoxy functionality as one of its two or more different functionalities. Thus, in the preferred embodiments, the first copolymer of the blend has epoxy functionality and a second functionality selected from amide functionality, anhydride functionality and hydroxy functionality and is crosslinkable with the second copolymer through at least two different types of functional groups on the first copolymer. The second copolymer also is crosslinkable with the first copolymer through at least two different types of functional groups on the second copolymer and may be (a) anhydride functional and carboxy functional, (b) carboxy functional and amide functional, (c) carboxy functional and hydroxy functional, (d) epoxy functional and amide functional or (e) epoxy functional and anhydride functional. The second copolymer is advantageously employed in an amount such that its functionality of greatest concentration provides about 0.3 to about 1.2 functional groups per functional group on the first copolymer and the functionality of lesser concentration provides about 0.1 to about 0.4 functional groups per functional group on the first copolymer.

United States Patent Labana et a1.

[451 Oct. 21, 1975 1 POWDER COATING COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING A BLEND OF COREACTIVE POLYMERS II [75] Inventors: Santokh S. Labana, Dearborn Heights; Ares N. Theodore, Farmington, both of Mich.

[73] Assignee: Ford Motor Company, Dearborn,

Mich.

22 Filed: Dec. 19, 1973 v -[21] Appl. N0.: 426,169

[51] Int. Cl. C08L 63/00 [58] Field of Search 260/830 R, 836, 78.4 D

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,730,930 5/1973 Labana 260/836 3,752,870 8/1973 Labana 260/836 3,758,632 9/1973 Labana 260/836 3,770,848 11/1973 Labana 260/836 3,781,379 12/1973 Theodore... 260/830 R 3,781,830 12/1973 Labana 260/836 3,787,521

1/1974 Labana 260/830 R Primary ExaminerPaul Lieberman Attorney, Agent, or Firm Olin B. Johnson; K. L. Zerschling [57] ABSTRACT Powder coating compositions are disclosed which comprise a blend of coreactable, thermosettable copolymers each of which have at least two different functional groups. Ordinarily, these polymers will be qualitatively difunctional, although they may contain more than two different functional groups, and quantitatively polyfunctional. At least one of the copolymers has epoxy functionality as one of its two or more different functionalities. Thus, in the preferred embodiments, the first copolymer of the blend has epoxy functionality and a second functionality selected from amide functionality, anhydride functionality and hydroxy functionality and is crosslinkable with the second copolymer through at least two different types of functional groups on the first copolymer. The second copolymer also is crosslinkable with the first copolymer through at least two different types of functional groups on the second copolymer and may be (a) anhydride functional and carboxy functional, (b) carboxy functional and amide functional, (c) carboxy functional and hydroxy functional, (d) epoxy functional and amide functional or (e) epoxy functional and anhydride functional. The second copolymer is advantageously employed in an amount such that its functionality of greatest concentration provides about 0.3 to about 1.2 functional groups per functional group on the first copolymer and the functionality of lesser concentration provides about 0.1 to about 0.4 functional groups per functional group on the first copolymer.

3 Claims, No Drawings POWDER COATING COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING A BLEND OF COREACTIVE POLYMERS II BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Powder coating compositions are extremely desirable for use in painting substrates in that they are essentially free of organic solvents conventionally utilized in liquid paint systems. Thus, they give off little, if any, volatile material to the environment when heat cured.

Powder coatings comprising (1) an epoxy-functional and hydroxy-functional copolymer, (2) a monomeric anhydride or a homopolymer of a monomeric anhydride, and (3) a hydroxy carboxylic acid have been described in US. patent application Ser. No. 394,876, filed Sept. 6, 1973 by A. N. Theodore, a coinventor herein, E. C. Siwiec and H. Van Oene. Powder coating compositions comprising (1) an epoxy-functional copolymer and (2)'an anhydride cross-linking agent have been described heretofore in our copending U.S. p'atent application Ser. No. 172,224, filed Aug. 16, 1971; in US. Pat. No. 3,758,632; in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 394,887, filed Sept 6, 1973 by A. N. Theodore, a coinventor herein, E. C. Siwiec and H. Van Oene, in US. patent application Ser. No. 394,878, filed Sept. 6, 1973 by A. N. Theodore, a coinventor herein, E. C. Siwiec and H. Van Oene, in our U.S. patent application Ser. No. 394,879, filed Sept. 6, 1973; in US. patent application Ser. No. 394,880, filed Sept. 6, 1973 by S. S. Labana, a coinventor herein, and S. C. Peng and in our US. patent application Ser. No. 394,881, filed Sept. 6, 1973. Powder coating compositions comprising 1) an epoxy-functional, hydroxy-functional copolymer and (2) a dicarboxylic acid cross-linking agent are disclosed in our US. patent application Ser. No. 394,874 filed Sept. 6, 1973. Powder coating compositions comprising (1) an epoxy-functional, amidefunctional copolymer and (2) a carboxy terminated polymer, e.g., a carboxy terminated polyester, are disclosed in US. patent application Ser. No. 394,875 filed Sept. 6, 1973 by J. D. Nordstrom and S. C. Peng.

In the preparation, storage and use of powder coating compositions a variety of problems arise which are either peculiar to powder coating materials or are common to other forms of coating but differ in degree or form in powder coating materials. These include lack of component compatibility, i.e., phase separation, resistance to pigment dispersion, caking, etc. For example, both monomeric anhydrides and homopolymers of monomeric anhydrides, e.g., poly (azelaic anhydride) and poly (adipic anhydride), make effective crosslinking agents for suitable copolymers, e.g., epoxy functional copolymers. Care must be exercised, however, in the preparation and use of such coating compositions in that monomeric anhydrides tend to sublime during processing and powders containing polyanhydrides of the type above described have a tendency to cake.

THE INVENTION The problems associated with many powder coating compositions are avoided or reduced by employing as the reactive ingredients an intimate blend of coreactable, thermosettable copolymers each of which have at least two different functional groups. In most embodiments, these copolymers will be qualitatively -difunctional, although they may contain more than two'different functional groups, and quantitatively polyfunctional. At least one of the copolymers has epoxy functionality as one of its two or more different functionalities. Thus, the first copolymer of the blend has epoxy functionality and a second functionality selected from amide functionality, anhydride functionality and hydroxy functionality and is crosslinkable with the second copolymer through at least two different types of functional groups on the first copolymer. The second copolymer also is crosslinkable with the first copolymer through at least two different types of functional groups on the second copolymer and may be (a) anhydride functional and carboxy functional, (b) carboxy functional and amide functional, (c) carboxy functional and hydroxy functional, (d) epoxy functional and amide functional or (e) epoxy functional and anhydride functional. The second copolymer is advantageously employed in an amount such that its functionality of greatest concentration provides about 0.3 to about 1.2 functional groups per functional group on the first copolymer and the functionality of lesser concentration provides about 0.1 to about 0.4 functional group per functional group on the first copolymer.

These copolymers have a glass transition temperature in the range of 40 to 90C., preferably between 50 and 80C., and a molecular weight (M,,) in the range of about 1500 to about 15,000, preferably about 2500 to about 6000.

The powder coating compositions of this invention demonstrate excellent component compatibility, suitability for effective pigment dispersion and resistance to caking.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The copolymers employed in the powder coating compositions of this invention are readily formed by conventional free radical induced polymerization of the olefinically unsaturated monomers employed. Generally, a free radical initiator is needed to induce the polymerization reaction. A large number of free radical initiators are known to the art and are suitable for this purpose. These include benzoyl peroxide, lauryl peroxide, t-butylhydroxy peroxide, acetylcyclohexane sulfonyl peroxide, diisobutyrl peroxide, di- (2-ethylhexyl) peroxydicarbonate, diisopropyl peroxydicarbonate, tbutyl peroxypivalate, decanoyl peroxide, azobis (2- methylpropionitrile), etc. The polymerization is preferably carried out in solution using a solvent in which the copolymer is soluble. Toluene, xylene, dioxane, butanone and others are suitable solvents for these polymerizations.

The preparation of these copolymers can be illustrated with the epoxy-functional, hydroxy-functional copolymer. This copolymer advantageously contains about 5 to about 20, preferably about 8 to about 15, weight percent of a glycidyl ester of a monoethylenically unsaturated acid, e.g., glycidyl acrylate or glycidyl methacrylate, about 2 to about 10, preferably about 3 to about 6, weight percent of a hydroxyacrylate, e.g. a monohydroxy ester of a C -C diol and acrylic or methacrylic acid, and about to about 93, preferably about 79 to about 89, weight percent of monoethylenically unsaturated, quantitatively and qualitatively monofunctional monomers. A monoethylenically unsaturated monomer that is both qualitatively and quantitatively monofunctional has as its sole operative functionality its one olefinic unsaturation group, e.g., styrene, methyl methacrylate, etc.

The monoethylenically unsaturated, qualitatively and quantitatively monofunctional monomers are preferably monomers having alpha-beta olefinic unsaturation. These can be acrylates or a mixture of acrylates and monovinyl hydrocarbons. Preferably, in excess of 50 weight percent of the copolymer monomers are esters of a C -C monohydric alcohol and acrylic or methacrylic acid, i.e., methyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, hexyl acrylate, and Z-ethylhexyl methacrylate. C -C monovinyl hydrocarbons such as styrene, alpha methyl styrene, vinyl toluene, t-butyl styrene, and chlorostyrene are typical of the vinyl hydrocarbons and substituted vinyl hydrocarbons which are suitable for this purpose.

If the epoxy-functional, hydroxy-functional copolymer is prepared in solution, the solid copolymer can be precipitated by pouring the solution at a slow rate into a non-solvent for such copolymer such as hexane, octane or water under suitable agitation conditions. The copolymer thus obtained is further dried so that it contains less than about 3 percent of the materials that volatilize at the temperatures used for baking the coatings.

These copolymers can also be prepared by emulsion polymerization, suspension polymerization, bulk polymerization or their suitable combinations. In these methods of preparing the copolymer, chain transfer agents may be required to control the molecular weight of the copolymer to a desired range. The solid copolymers obtained by these methods must also be dried to contain less than about three percent of the materials that volatilize at the temperatures used for baking the coatings.

For powder coating applications, both molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the copolymer are important. While the molecular weight (IV l range extends from about 1500 to about 15,000, the copolymer component must not contain significant amounts of higher molecular weight fractions. No more than 5 percent of the copolymer should be of molecular weight greater than 20,000. The molecular weight distribution as measured by the ratio of weight average to number average molecular weight (M /M should be in the range of 1.6 to 3.0. The preferred range of molecular weight distribution is in the range of 1.7 to 2.2.

With the appropriate monomers, hereinafter described and illustrated, the other copolymers used in the powder coating compositions of this invention can be prepared by the same methods heretofore described to prepare the epoxy-functional, hydroxy-functional copolymer. Minor adjustments in temperature, solvents, initiator, etc. may be made to optimize the preparation of a given copolymer but these are all within the day to day working skills of one skilled in the art.

The other embodiments of what has been termed the first copolymer of the blend include epoxy-functional, amide-functional copolymers and epoxy-functional anhydride-functional copolymers.

The epoxy-functional, amide-functional copolymers advantageously contains about 5 to about 20, preferably about 8 to about 15, weight percent of a glycidyl ester of a monoethylenically unsaturated acid, about 2 to about 10, preferably about 3 to about 6, weight percent of an alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated amide, e.g., acrylamide and methacrylamide, and about 70 to about 93, preferably about 79 to about 89 weight percent of monoethylenically unsaturated, quantitatively and qualitatively monofunctional monomers.

The epoxy-functional, anhydride-functional copolymer advantageously contains about 5 to about 20, preferably about 8 to about 15, weight percent ofa glycidyl ester of a monoethylenically unsaturated acid, about 2 to about 10, preferably about 3 to about 6, weight percent of an anhydride of an olefinically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, and about to about 93, preferably about 79 to about 89, weight percent of monoethylenically unsaturated, quantitatively and qualitatively monofunctional monomers. Suitable anhydrides include maleic anhydride, itaconic anhydride, dichloromaleic anhydride, dodecenyl succinic anhydride, tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, etc.

The second copolymer is selected from copolymers which have two different functional groups that will react with different functional groups on the first copolymer. In some embodiments, there may be one functional group on the first or second copolymer which will react with two or more different functional groups on'the other while its companion functional group will react with only one of the functional groups on the other copolymer. In other embodiments, there will be one functional group on the first or second copolymer that will react with only one kind of functional group on the other copolymer while its companion will react only with only another kind of functional group on the other copolymer.

The composition of the preferred second copolymers are hereinafter set forth.

The anhydride-functional, carboxy-functional second copolymer wherein the anhydride functionality is in higher concentration advantageously contains about 5 to about 20, advantageously about 8 to about 15, weight percent of an anhydride of an olefinically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, preferably an alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, about 2 to about 10, preferably about 3 to about 6, weight percent of an alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid, e.g., acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, and about 70 to about 93, preferably about 79 to about 89, weight percent of monoethylenically unsaturated, quantitatively and qualitatively monofunctional monomers.

The anhydride-functional, carboxy-functional second copolymer in which the carboxy functionality is in higher concentration advantageously has the same composition as that where the anhydride concentration predominates except that the concentration ranges for the olefinically unsaturated anhydride and for the alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid are reversed.

The carboxy-functional, amide-functional second copolymer advantageously comprises about 5 to about 2O, preferably about 6 to about 15, weight percent of an alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid, about 2 to about 10, preferably about 3 to about 6, weight percent of an alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated amide, and about 70 to about 93, preferably about 79 to about 91, weight percent of monoethylenically unsaturated, quantitatively and qualitatively monofunctional monomers.

The carboxy-functional and hydroxy-functional second copolymer advantageously comprises about 5 to about 20, preferably about 6 to about 15, weight percent of an alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid, about 2 to about 10, preferably about 3 to about 6, weight percent of a hydroxy acrylate, and about 70 to about 13, preferably about 79 to about 91, weight percent of monoethylenically unsaturated, quantitatively and qualitatively monofunctional monomers.

The epoxy-functional and amide-functional second copolymer advantageously has the same composition as the epoxy-functional and amide-functional first copolymer hereinbefore described.

The epoxy-functional, anhydride-functional second copolymer advantageously has the same composition as the epoxy-functional and anhydride-functional first copolymer hereinbefore described.

These powder coating compositions advantageously contain a flow control agent as a part of the powder coating mixture. The flow control agent is a polymer having a molecular weight (M of at least 1000 and advantageously comprises between 0.05 and 4.0 weight percent of the mixture. The flow control agent has'a glass transition temperature at least C. below the glass transition temperature of each of the copolymers.

One group of suitable flow control agents are acrylic polymers. Preferred acrylic polymers which may be used for flow control agents are polylauryl acrylate, polybutyl acrylate, poly (2-ethylhexyl acrylate), polylauryl methacrylate and polyisodecyl methacrylate. These advantageously have molecular weights in the range of about 3000 to about 20,000, preferably about 4000 to about 15,000.

The flow control agent may also be a fluorinated polymer having a surface tension, at the baking temperature of the powder, lower than that of the copolymers used in the mixture. Preferred flow control agents, if the agent is a fluorinated polymer are esters of polyethyleneglycol or polypropyleneglycol and fluorinated fatty acids. For example, an ester of polyethyleneglycol of molecular weight of over 2500 and perfluoro octanoic acid is a useful flow control agent. Polymeric siloxanes of molecular weight of over 1000 (advantageously 1000 to 20,000) may also be used, e.g., polydimethyl siloxane or polymethylphenyl siloxane.

A coating composition formed in accordance with the teachings of this invention may include a small weight percent of a catalyst in order to increase the cross-linking rate of the powder coating composition at the baking temperature thereof. Baking temperatures will ordinarily be in the range of 130 to 200C. and the catalyst should produce a gel time for the powder coating composition at the baking temperature to be used which is at least 1 minute but no greater than 20 minutes. This gel time is preferably between about 2 and about 9 minutes at the baking temperature.

Some catalysts which are suitable for use in the powder coating compositions include tetraalkylammonium salts, imidazole type catalyst, tertiary amines and metal salts of organic carboxylic acids. The tetraalkylammonium salt catalysts include the following: tetrabutyl ammonium chloride (bromide or iodide), tetraethyl ammonium chloride (bromide or iodide), trimethylbenzylammonium chloride, dodecyl dimethyl (2- :phenoxyethyl) ammonium bromide, diethyl (2-hydroxy ethyl) methyl ammonium bromide. Suitable catalysts of the imidazole type include: 2-methyl-4-ethyl imidazole, 2-methyl imidazole, imidazole, 2-[(N-benzylanilino) methyl] 2-imidazoline phosphate, and 2-benzyl 2- imidazoline hydrochloride. Suitable tertiary amine catalysts for the powder coating compositions of this in vention include: triethylenediamine, N,N diethylcyclohexylamine, and N-methyl morpholine. The metal salts of organic carboxylic acid which are catalysts for the powder coatings of this invention include, but are not limited to: stannous octoate, zinc naphthenate, cobalt naphthenate, zinc octoate, stannous 2- ethylhexoate, phenylmercuric propionate, lead neodecanoate, dibutyl tin dilaurate and lithium benzoate.

The catalyst used in an individual powder coating composition is generally solid at room temperature and has a melting point of from 50 to 200C.

Conventional nonmetallic and metallic pigments can be used with these powder coating compositions. Such are conventionally employed in an amount such as to constitute between about 6 and about 35 weight percent of the total mixture depending on the pigment selected and the gloss required for the baked coating.

Since individual powder coating compositions of this invention can be applied to an article to be painted by electrostatic methods, one may desire to include a small weight percentage of an antistatic agent in such compositions. In particular, the antistatic agent is included in a range from 0.05 weight percent of the total powder composition. Suitable antistatic agents include, but are not limited to, tetraalkylammonium salts as discussed previously and which also serve as catalysts. Other suitable antistatic agents include: alkylpoly (ethyleneoxy) phosphate or alkylauryl poly (ethyleneoxy) phosphate; polyethyleneimine, poly(2-vinyl pyrollidone), pyridinium chloride, poly (vinyl pyridium chloride), polyvinyl alcohol or inorganic salts.

A plasticizer may be used in a powder coating composition of this invention if desired. The type of plasticizers used very often include adipates, phosphates, phthalates, sebacates, polyesters derived from adipic acid or azelaic acid, and epoxy or epoxidized plasticizers. Some of these plasticizers are: dihexyl adipate, diisooctyl adipate, dicyclohexyl adipate, triphenylphosphate, tricresylphosphate, tributylphosphate, dibutylphthalate, dioctylphthalate, butyl octyl phthalate, dioctyl sebacate, butyl benzyl sebacate, dibenzyl sebacate, butanediol 1,4 diglycidyl ether, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A and its polymers and cellulose acetate butyrate.

Except in those instances herein wherein a specific compound is named, the term acrylate is used to include esters of both acrylic and methacrylic acid, i.e., acrylates and methacrylates.

The term alpha-beta unsaturation as used herein includes both the olefinic unsaturation that is between ployed in formulating the powder coating compositions of this invention, a plurality of examples are hereinafter set forth to illustrate various individual powder coating compositions.

The powder is electrostatically sprayed on steel pan- EXAMPLE 1 els with an electrostatic spray gun for powder operating An epoxy-functional, hydroxy-functional copolymer at 50 KV charging voltage. is prepared from the below listed component in the After electrostatic deposition of powder on steel panmanner h r inaft r d s d: els, it is cured at 160C. for 30 minutes. The resulting coatings have good appearance, adhesion and good resistance to organic solvents, i.e., xylene, methyl ethyl Percentage Reactants Amounts, gms. By Weight ketone and gasolineglycidyl methacrylate 30 15 EXAMPLE 2 butyl methacrylate 84 42 styrene 10 5 A carboxy-functional, hydroxy-functlonal copolymer 'r gigl 'zfg gmg ?8 is prepared from the below listed components in the manner hereinafter described:

The above listed monomers are admixed and 2,2 Panama 8 Azobis- (2 -methylpropionitrile), hereinafter called Rewams Amounngrmg By fi, AIBN, 1n the amount of 12.0 grams (6% based on combined weights of reactants) is added to the monomer wi me 2 3 mixture. The solution is added to the monomer miX- 2O it l nie ha er late y 110 55 ture. The solution is added dropwise over a 2 hour perstyrene 5 iod into 200 ml. toluene at 90-l10C. under nitrogen mahyl methacrylate 58 29 atmosphere. Then 0.2 grams of AIBN dissolved in 15 2: 322:3 2:fgz sit rz z zfii g penod The above listed monomers are admixed and AIBN g 0 1 ours in the amount of 12.0 grams is added to the monomer The prepolymer solution is diluted with 200 ml. acetone and coagulated in 2 liters of hexane. The white powder is dried in a vacuum oven for 24 hours at 55 C. The molecular weight of this copolymer is M /M 5560/3110 and its Tg is 57C.

An anhydride-functional, carboxy-functional copolymer is prepared from the below listed components in the manner hereinafter described:

mixture. The solution is added dropwise to 200 ml. of p-dioxane. The polymerization is carried out as in preparation of the epoxy-functional, hydroxy-functional copolymer of Example 1. The copolymer is isolated and 30 dried. Its molecular weight M /M, 5600/3210 and its Tg is 57C.

An epoxy-functional, anhydride-functional copolymer is prepared from the below listed components in the manner hereinafter described:

Percentage Reactants Amount, grms. By Weight Percentage male": y l6 8 Reactants Amounts, gms. By Weight methacrylic acid 6 3 gg g g I 2 glycidyl methacrylate 30 15 40 maleic anhydride 6 3 methyl methacrylate 64 32 butyl methacrylate 84 42 styrene l0 5 methyl methacrylate 70 35 The above listed monomers are admixed and AIBN in the amount of 12 grams (6% based on combined weights of reactants) is dissolved in 40 ml. of acetone 45 The amount of initiator, p y a n Conditions and added to the monomer mixture. The solution is (with the exception of reaction temperature range added into 200 ml. toluene at 80-95C. under nitrogen which here is 80l00C.) is the same as used in the atmosphere. Then 0.2 gram of AIBN dissolved in 5 ml. preparation of the epoxy-functional, hydroxyacetone is added over a one-half hour period and refunctional copolymer of Example 1. The copolymer is fluxing is continued for an additional 3 hours. isolated and dried. The molecular weight of the dry pol- This copolymer is isolated and dried. Its molecular ymer is M /M 5450/3180 and its Tg is 57C. weight M /M, 5450/3180 and its Tg is 56C. The carboxy-functional, hydroxy-functional copoly- The epoxy-functional, hydroxy-functional copolymer mer in the amount of 25.0 grams and the epoxyin the amount of 25.0 grams and the anhydridefunctional, anhydride-functional copolymer in the f n n carboxy-functional p ym r 1n the amount of 22.0 grams are combined with the following amount of 25.0 grams are combined with the following i i ingredients:

Grams titanium dioxide 6.0 60 Ferrite Yellow 5.5 titanium dioxide 10.00 poly (2-ethylhexyl acrylate )M,,=9,000 0.43 poly (Z-ethyl hexyl acrylate) 0.45 tetrabutylammonium iodide 0.05 tetrabutylammonium bromide 0.04

All components are ball-milled for 4 hours and millrolled for 5 minutes at C. The material is granu- 6 After ball-milling all components for 10 hours, they lated and pulverized to the desired particle size (20 miare mill-rolled for 5 minutes at C. The pulverized crons in average major axis). It is a free flowing powpowder (IO-30 microns) is free flowing at room temder. peratuure, i.e. 2025C.

The powder is electrostatically sprayed on steel panels and is cured at 165C. for 20 minutes. The pigmented films have good gloss and good adhesion to metal.

EXAMPLE 3 An epoxy-functional, amide-functional copolymer is prepared from the below listed components in the manner hereinafter described:

Percentage Reactants Amounts, gms. By Weight glycidyl methacrylate 30.0 15 methacrylamide 10.0 5 butyl methacrylate 80.0 40 styrene 10.0 5 methylmethacrylate 70.0 35

Percentage Reactants Amounts gms. By Weight methacrylic acid 16 8 maleic anhydride 6 3 butyl methacrylate 86 43 styrene l4 7 methylmethacrylate 78 39 I amount of 25.0 grams are combined with the following ingredients:

Grams titanium dioxide 5.5 v Ferrite Yellow 5.0 poly (2-ethylhexylacrylate) 0.45 tetrabutylammonium chloride 0.04

The above mixture is processed as in Example 1 and pulverized to the desired particle size (10-30 microns). The powder is electrostatically sprayed on grounded steel panels and cured at 160C. for 30 minutes.

The cured coatings are glossy and smooth.

EXAMPLE 4 An anhydride-functio nal, epoxy-functional copolymer is prepared from the below listed components in the manner hereinafter described.

Percentage Reactants Amounts, grrns. By Weight maleic anhydride l6 8 glycidyl anhydride [0 5 butyl methacrylate 96 48 styrene l4 7 methyl methacrylate 64 32 The amount of initiator and polymerization conditions are those used for preparation of the carboxyfunctional, anhydride-functional copolymer of Example l. The copolymer is isolated and dried. Its molecular weight is M /M,,=5600/3200 and its Tg is 56C.

The epoxy-functional, amide-functional copolymer of Example 3 in the amount of 25.0 grams and 28.0 grams of the above described anhydride-functional, epoxy-functional copolymer are combined with the following ingredients:

Grams titanium dioxide 5.5 Ferrite Yellow 5.0 poly (2-ethyl hexyl acrylate) 0.47 tetraethylammonium iodide 0.04

All the above ingredients are combined with ml. acetone-methylene chloride solvent mixture (2:1 by volume) and ball-milled for 15 hours. After evaporation of the solvent mixture in a vacuum oven at room temperature, the powder is converted to the desired particle size (5-20 microns) with a fluid energy mill. The powder is free flowing.

The powder is sprayed electrostatically on grounded steel panels as in the preceding examples and cured at 170C. for 30 minutes.

The cured coatings had good appearance and hardness. This powder coating when applied to other substrates such as glass, zinc, aluminum, copper and bronze and cured thereon, demonstrates good adhesion to such substrates. These coatings are not soluble in xylene, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone or gasoline.

EXAMPLE 5 Grams titanium dioxide 6.0 Phthalocyanine Blue 4.5 poly (Z-ethylhexyl acrylate) 0.47 tetraethylammonium bromide 0.04

All of the above ingredients are ball-milled for 5 hours and mill-rolled for 5 minutes at 135C. The material is granulated and pulverized to the desired particle size (20 microns).

After electrostatic deposition of the powder on grounded steel panels, it is cured at C. for 30 minutes. The resulting coatings have good appearance, good adhesion and good solvent resistance.

EXAMPLE 6 A carboxy-functional, amide-functiona copolymer is 5 prepared from the below listed components in the manner hereinafter described:

Percentage Reactants Amounts, grms. By Weight methacrylic acid 16 8 methacrylamide 6 3 butyl methacrylate 110 55 styrene l0 methylmethacrylate 58 29 The amount of initiator and polymerization conditions are similar to those used to prepare the carboxyfunctional, hydroxy-functional copolymer of Example 2. The copolymer is isolated and dried.

A powder coating composition is prepared by combining 25.0 grams of the epoxy-functional, hydroxyfunctional copolymer of Example 1 and 27.0 grams of the carboxy-functional, amide-functional copolymer of this example with the following ingredients:

Grams poly (Z-ethylhexyl acrylate) 0.48 Ultramarine Blue 5.00 titanium dioxide 7.00 tetraethylammonium chloride 0.04 diepoxide 2.00

(Epichlorohydrin-Bisphenol A type,

Av. mol. M. 900, WPE 500) 3 5 EXAMPLE 7 The procedure of Example 1 is repeated with the differences that (1) the epoxy-functional, hydroxyfunctional copolymer is prepared using the following constituent monomers and AIBN in the amount of 0.7% based on combined weight of reactants:

Percentage Reactants By Weight glycidyl methacrylate 5 butyl methacrylate 42 styrene 5 methyl methacrylate 43 hydroxyethyl methacrylate 5 and (2) the carboxy-functional, anhydride-functional copolymer is prepared using the following constituent monomers and AIBN in the amount of 0.7% based on combined weight of reactants:

Percentage Reactants By Weight maleic anhydride 4 methacrylic acid 3 butyl methacrylate 50 styrene 7 methyl methacrylate 32 This produces copolymers near the upper limit of the claimed molecular weight range.

The coatings obtained upon steel substrates after curing have good appearance and flexibility.

EXAMPLE 8 The procedure of Example 1 is repeated except for the differences that in preparing each of the copolymers therein, i.e., the epoxy-functional, hydroxyfunctional copolymer and the carboxy-functional, anhydride-functional copolymer, the amount of AIBN used is equal to 7% based on the combined weight of reactants for that particular copolymer. This produces copolymers near the lower limit of the claimed molecular weight range. The coatings obtained on steel substrates after curing have good appearance and good adhesion.

EXAMPLE 9 The procedure of Example 1 is repeated except for the differences (I) that the composition of the epoxyfunctional, hydroxy-functional copolymer is as follows:

Percentage Reactants By Weight glycidyl methacrylate 8 butyl methacrylate 40 alpha methyl styrene 5 ethyl acrylate 4 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate 5 methyl methacrylate 33 hydroxypropylacrylate 5 and (2) that the composition of the anhydridefunctional, carboxy-functional copolymer is as follows:

Percentage Reactants By Weight maleic anhydride 8 methacrylic acid 6 butyl methacrylate 45 butyl acrylate 2 styrene 5 vinyl toluene 2 methyl methacrylate 32 The coatings after curing on steel panels demonstrate good appearance.

EXAMPLE 10 The procedure of Example 1 is repeated except for the differences that (I) t-butyl styrene is substituted for the styrene in the preparation of the epoxy-functional, hydroxy-functional copolymer.

The coatings after curing on steel panels demonstrate good appearance.

EXAMPLE 11 The procedure of Example 1 is repeated except for the differences that poly (lauryl acrylate) having M of 10,000 is substituted for the poly (2-ethylhexyl acrylate) and (2) is employed in an amount equal to 0.05 weight percent of the powder mixture. The coatings prepared from this powder and cured on steel substrates demonstrate good appearance.

EXAMPLE 12 The procedure of Example 1 is repeated with the differences that (1) an ester of polyethyleneglycol of molecular weight of 3000 and perfluoro 'octanoic acid is substituted for the poly (2-'ethylhexyl acrylate) and (2) is employed in an amount equal to 1 weight percent of the powder mixture. The coatings prepared from this powder and cured on steel substrates demonstrate excellent appearance.

EXAMPLE 13 EXAMPLE 14 The procedure of Example 1 is repeated except for the differences that (1) poly (isodecyl methacrylate) having molecular weight of 10,000 is substituted for the poly (2-ethylhexyl acrylate) and (2) is employed in an amount equal to 4 weight percent of the powder mix- ,ture. The coatings prepared from this powder and cured on steel substrates demonstrate good appearance.

EXAMPLE 15 The procedure of Example 13 is repeated except for the difference that poly (butyl acrylate) is substituted for the poly (2-ethylhexyl acrylate). The coatings prepared from this powder and cured on steel substrates demonstrate good appearance.

EXAMPLE 16 A powder coating composition is prepared, applied, and cured in accordance with Example 1 with the following difference:

The epoxy-functional, hydroxy-copolymer is prepared from the below listed components:

Percentage Reactants By Weight glycidyl methacrylate 15 glycidyl acrylate 5 butyl methacrylate 4O styrene 5 methyl methacrylate 33 hydroxyethyl methacrylate 5 Many modifications of these examples will be apparent tho those skilled in the art in view of this specification. It is intended that all such modifications which fall within the scope of this invention be included within the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a thermosettable powder paint which exclusive of pigments, antistatic agents, and plasticizers, the same being conventional non-reactive additives to a thermosettable powder paint, consists essentially of a coreactable particulate mixture of 1. an epoxy-functional copolymer of monoethylenically unsaturated monomers having a glass transition temperature in the range of 40 to C.,

2. a carboxy-functional compound as crosslinking agent for said copolymer, and 3. 0.05 to 4.0 weight percent of a non-reactive polymeric flow control agent based on the weight of said coreactable particulate mixture, the improvement wherein A. said copolymer is a difunctional copolymer of about 5 to about 20 weight percent of a glycidyl ester of a monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, about 2 to about 10 weight percent of an alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated amide, and about 70 to about 93 weight percent monoethylenically unsaturated monomers consisting essentially of monofunctional monomers selected from the group consisting of esters of a C -C monohydric alcohol and acrylic acid, esters of a C -C monohydric alcohol and methacrylic acid and C C monovinyl hydrocarbons, and has average molecular weight in the range of about 1500 to about 15,000, and

B. said carboxy-functional compound is a difunctional copolymer of about 2 to about 20 weight percent of an anhydride of an alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, about 2 to about 20 weight percent of an alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid and a remainder making a total of weight percent of monoethylenically unsaturated monomers consisting essentially of monofunctional monomers selected from the group consisting of esters of a C C monohydric alcohol and acrylic acid, esters of a C -C monohydric alcohol and methacrylic acid and C -C monovinyl hydrocarbons, and has average molecular weight in the range of about 1500 to about 15,000, said carboxy-functional compound being present in an amount such that the functional group of greatest concentration thereon provides about 0.3 to about 1.2 functional groups per functional group on said epoxyfunctional copolymer that is reactable with said carboxy-functional compound and such that the functional group of second greatest concentration on said carboxy-functional compound provides about 0.1 to about 0.4 functional group per functional group on said epoxy-functional copolymer that is reactable with said carboxy-functional compound.

2. A powder paint in accordance with claim 1 wherein said carboxy-functional compound contains about 5 to about 20 weight percent of said anhydride and about 2 to about 10 weight percent of said monocarboxylic acid.

3. A powder paint in accordance with claim 1 wherein said carboxy-functional compound contains about 5 to about 20 weight percent of said monocarboxylic acid and about 2 to about 10 weight percent of i said anhydride. 

1. IN A THERMOSETTABLE POWDER PAINT WHICH EXCLUSIVE OF PIGMENTS, ANTISTATIC AGENTS, AND PLASTICIZERS, THE SAME BEING CONVENTIONAL ON-REACTIVE ADDITIVES TO A THERMOSETABLE POWDER PAINT, CONSISTS ESSENTIALLY OF A COREACTABLE PARTICULATE MIXTURE OF
 1. AN EPOXY-FUNCTIONAL OPOLMER OF MONOETHYLENICALLY UNSATURATED MONOMERS HAVING A GLASS TRANSIONTEMPERA-, TURE IN THE RANGE OF 40* TO 90*C.,
 2. a carboxy-functional compound as crosslinking agent for said copolymer, and
 2. A powder paint in accordance with claim 1 wherein said carboxy-functional compound contains about 5 to about 20 weight percent of said anhydride and about 2 to about 10 weight percent of said monocarboxylic acid.
 2. A CARBOXY-FUNCTIONAL COMPOUND AS CROSSLINKING AGENT FOR SAID COPOLYMER, AND
 3. 0.05 TO 4.0 WEIGHT PERCENT OF A NON-REACTIVE POLYMERIC FLOW CONTROL AGENT BASED ON HE WEIGHT OF SAID COREACTABLE PARTICULATE MIXTURE, THE IMPOVEMENT WHEREIN A SAID COPOLYMER IS A DIFUNCTIONAL COPOLYMER OF ABOUT 5 TO ABOUT 20 WEIGHT PERCENT OF A GLYCIDYL ESTER OF A MONOETHYLENICALLY UNSATURATED CARBOXYLIC ACID, ABOUT 2 TO ABOUT 10 WEIGHT PERCENT OF AN ALPHA-BETA OLEFINICALLY UNSATURATED AMIDE, AND ABOUT 70 TO ABOUT 93 WEIGHT PERCENT MONOETHYLENICALLY UNSATURATED MONOMERS CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF MONOFUNCTIONAL MONOMERS SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ESTER OF A C2-C8 MONOHYDRIC ALCOHOL AND ACRYLIC ACID, ESTER OF A C2-C8 MONOHYDRIC ALCOHOL AND METHACRYLIC ACID AND C8-C12 MONOVINYL HYDROCARBONS, AND HAS AVERAGE MOLECULAR WEIGHT IN THE RANGE OF ABOUT 1500 TO ABOUT 15.000, AND B. SAID CARBOXY-FUNCTIONAL COMPOUND IS A DIFUNCTIONAL COPOLYMER OF ABOUT 2 TO ABOUT 20 WEIGHT PECEN OF AN ANHYDRIDE OF AN ALPHA-BETA OLEFINICALLY UNSATURATED DICARBOXYLIC ACID, ABOUT 2 TO ABOUT 20 WEIGHT PERCENT OF AN ALPHA-BETA OLEFINICALLY UNSAURATED MONOCARBOXYLIC ACID AND A REMAINDER MAKING A TOTAL OF 100 WEIGHT PERCENT OF MONOETHYLENICALLY UNSATURATED MONOMERS CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF MONOFUNCTIONAL MONOMERS SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ESTERS OF A C1-C8 MONOHYDRIC ALCOHOL AND ACRYLIC ACID, ESTERS OF A C1-C8 MONOHYDRIC ALCOHOL AND METHACRYLIC ACID AND C8-C12 MONVINYL HYCARBONS, AND HAS AVERAGE MOLECULARWEIGHT IN THE RANGE OF ABOUT 1500 TO ABOUT 15,000, SAID CARBOXY-FUNCTIONAL COMPOUND BEING PRESENT IN AN AMOUNT SUCH THAT THE FUNCTIONAL GROUP OF GREATEST CONCENTRATION THEREON PROVIDES ABOUT 0.3 TO ABOUT 1.2 FUNCTIONAL GROUP PER FUNCTIONAL GROUP ON SAID EPOXY-FUNCTIONAL COPOLYMER THAT IS REACTABLE WITH SAIDCARBOXY-FUNCTIONAL COMPOUND AND SUCH THAT THE FUNCTONAL GROUP OF SECOND GREATEST CONCENTRATION ON SAID CARBOXY-FUNCTIONAL COMPOUND PROVIDES ABOUT 0.1 TO ABOUT 0.4 FUNCTIONAL GROUP PER FUNCTIONAL GROUP ON SAID EPOXY-FUNCTIONAL COPOLYME THAT IS REACTABLE WITH SAID CARBOXY-FUNCTIONAL COMPOUND.
 3. A powder paint in accordance with claim 1 wherein said carboxy-functional compound contains about 5 to about 20 weight percent of said monocarboxylic acid and about 2 to about 10 weight percent of said anhydride.
 3. 0.05 to 4.0 weight percent of a non-reactive polymeric flow control agent based on the weight of said coreactable particulate mixture, the improvement wherein A. said copolymer is a difunctional copolymer of about 5 to about 20 weight percent of a glycidyl ester of a monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, about 2 to about 10 weight percent of an alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated amide, and about 70 to about 93 weight percent monoethylenically unsaturated monomers consisting essentially of monofunctional monomers selected from the group consisting of esters of a C1-C8 monohydric alcohol and acrylic acid, esters of a C1-C8 monohydric alcohol and methacrylic acid and C8-C12 monovinyl hydrocarbons, and has average molecular weight in the range of about 1500 to about 15,000, and B. said carboxy-functional compound is a difunctional copolymer of about 2 to about 20 weight percent of an anhydride of an alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, about 2 to about 20 weight percent of an alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid and a remainder making a total of 100 weight percent of monoethylenically unsaturated monomers consisting essentially of monofunctional monomers selected from the group consisting of esters of a C1-C8 monohydric alcohol and acrylic acid, esters of a C1-C8 monohydric alcohol and methacrylic acid and C8-C12 monovinyl hydrocarbons, and haS average molecular weight in the range of about 1500 to about 15,000, said carboxy-functional compound being present in an amount such that the functional group of greatest concentration thereon provides about 0.3 to about 1.2 functional groups per functional group on said epoxy-functional copolymer that is reactable with said carboxy-functional compound and such that the functional group of second greatest concentration on said carboxy-functional compound provides about 0.1 to about 0.4 functional group per functional group on said epoxy-functional copolymer that is reactable with said carboxy-functional compound. 